UPDATED: "Maleficent" and "X-Men: Days of Future Past" made life impossible for the sci-fi epic in many of the 28 markets where it opened a week ahead of its June 6 North American launch.

Facing tough competition, Tom Cruise's Edge of Tomorrow opened to a soft $20 million in 28 foreign markets over the weekend, diminishing hopes that a strong international launch would boost the film's prospects in the U.S.

Edge of Tomorrow -- which opens domestically June 6 after sluggish pre-release tracking -- made its strongest showing in Asia, although it has yet to open in China, Japan and South Korea. If it does well in those markets, Edge could make up ground.

The big-budget sci-fi epic, directed by Doug Liman, began rolling out a week early internationally to provide breathing room between it and the World Cup soccer championships, which get underway June 12. All told, it is playing in 40 percent of the foreign marketplace.

Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow partnered on the $178 million tentpole, and are counting on a strong overseas run, considering Cruise remains a bigger star internationally. Also, action tends to do better offshore, although sci-fi can be a tough sell in some markets. Edge opens in another 36 markets next weekend, including China, Russia, Mexico and France, and studio insiders believe it has a strong shot at winning the frame.

During its first weekend, however, Angelina Jolie's new live-action fairy tale Maleficent and holdover X-Men: Days of Future Past made life difficult for Edge of Tomorrow in many countries, where Edge was relegated to the No. 3 spot.

In the U.K., Edge of Tomorrow debuted to $3.1 million, compared to a $7.6 million debut for Cruise's last film, Oblivion, likewise a sci-fi tale. Maleficent won the weekend in the U.K. with $11 million, while Days of Future Past grossed $5.8 million in its second weekend.

Edge debuted to $1.5 million in Spain and Italy, whereas Oblivion opened to $2.9 million and $2 million, respectively. Its German launch was $2.1 million, compared to $2.6 million for Oblivion. Edge will need to do more than the $197.1 million earned internationally by Oblivion, which cost $120 million to make.

Oblivion, released by Universal in April 2013, faced a far less competitive play period than Edge of Tomorrow, which faces a glut of summer product.

Edge of Tomorrow, about a military operative battling evil alien forces who is forced to live the same day over and over again, did beat Days of Future Past in Malaysia ($1.2 million versus $1 million). It also made a strong showing in Indonesia, earning $2 million to mark Cruise's top opening ever in that country, and grossed $1.9 million in Taiwan (the film placed No. 1 in both of those markets).a.

Maleficent won the weekend internationally with $100.6 million from 47 markets, while Days of Future Past placed No. 2 with $95.6 million from 74 markets for a foreign total of $338.1 million.